Working Document Series Open Access Evaluating the macropropagation efficiency of banana varieties preferred by farmers in Eastern and Central Kenya N. Gitonga · M.R. Kasyoka · N. Kori · R. Muasya +1 more Kenyan farmers are threatened by overreliance on few crops whose yields are reduced by adverse climatic changes. Bananas are more resilient and produce year round, making it a more suitable crop. To increase banana production, farmers shou… RUF-34627 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Assessing factors influencing types, rate of application and timing of fertilizer use among small-scale farmers of western Kenya M.K. Kifuko-Koech · A.K. Kipkoech · K.W Ndungu · A.O. Nekesa +1 more Many soil fertility amelioration technologies exist in western Kenya, but the factors that influence the adoption, and the economic returns of these technologies needs to be assessed. In this study, the value cost ratios (VCR) of five diff… RUF-34603 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Assessing the impact of climate change adaptation on agriculture production in eastern Uganda B. Bashaasha · J.G.M. Majaliwa · M. N. Mangheni · D. Nabikolo The objective of the study is to assess the costs and benefits of the key gendered climate change adaptation strategies used by farmers in Mbale and Soroti districts, two diverse areas in eastern Uganda and investigate their potential base… RUF-34515 2010 CC BY 4.0 25 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Understanding the gender dimensions of the impact of climate change on agriculture and adaptation among small holder farmers in eastern Uganda B. Bashaasha · J.G.M. Majaliwa · M. N. Mangheni The way gender influences the impact and adaptation to climate change is not well understood. Therefore, the overall objective of the study is to determine the gender dimensions of the impact of climate change on agriculture and small hold… RUF-34496 2010 CC BY 4.0 25 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Open access publishing and the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture network L. Levey Publishing is an important component of the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture’s (RUFORUM) work to improve the quality of postgraduate training and research in the agricultural sciences. But many members of th… RUF-34287 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access African research journals: Challenges and opportunities J.S. Tenywa The need for scholarly journals as a means of dissemination of outputs from African research efforts, particularly the problems and innovations unique to African and related conditions, is overwhelming; yet the operational environment is q… RUF-34284 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access The adoption and use of ICT by small scale farmers in Gezira State, Sudan K. El-siddig · J.M. Githeko · N.S. Musa In Sudan common sources of agricultural information that have been used are the radio, television, extension, magazines, newspapers and face-to-face communication. This paper sought to identify the key factors that influence the use of ICT… RUF-34195 2014 CC BY 4.0 14 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Development of quality and affordable fish feed for small scale fish farmers in Malawi A. Kamangira · J. Kang’ombe · F. Kapute · V. Kasulo +5 more The project aims at contributing to increased fish production in rural communities of Mpamba in Nkhatabay district of Malawi. The aim is being achieved through developing quality affordable feed from locally available ingredients, evaluati… RUF-34191 2014 CC BY 4.0 14 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Proximate composition of potential plant feedstuffs for production of Tilapia rendalli in northern Malawi J. Kang’ombe · F. Kapute · O.V. Msiska · K. Mzengereza +1 more The aquaculture sector in Malawi contributes two percent to nation’s fish production. Availability of affordable quality feed is one of the most important problems that hamper aquaculture growth in Malawi. This study, therefore, aimed at i… RUF-34171 2014 CC BY 4.0 14 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Selection for multiple disease resistance in bush snap bean lines developed in Kenya P. M. Kimani · M. M. Mulanya · R.D. Narla Production of snap beans (French beans, Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Kenya is severely constrained by diseases. Use of fungicides increases cost of production, reduces profitability and competitiveness of snap bean in domestic and export mark… RUF-34035 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Selection for short day adaptation in vegetable runner bean in Kenya P. M. Kimani · M. M. Mulanya Runner bean (Phaseolus coccineus L.) offers considerable potential as a high value vegetable and grain crop for domestic and export markets in eastern Africa. However, production and utilisation of vegetable runner beans in Kenya is severe… RUF-34006 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Assessment of the socio-economic impact of the invasive fruit fly Bactrocera invadens (Diptera:Tephritidae) in Mozambique D. Cugala · M. De Meyer · L. Jose · L. Santos Fruit flies are among the most important pests of fruits and vegetables in the world. The invasive fruit fly Bactrocera invadens (Diptera:Tephritidae) was first detected in Africa in 2003 in Kenya, has spread to at least 27 countries attac… RUF-33931 2014 CC BY 4.0 11 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Profitability and consumer preference of pond raised fish among fish farmers and consumers in Northern Malawi W.W.L. Jere · A. Kamangira · F. Kapute · V. Kasulo +1 more The consumption and demand for fish is on the increase in Africa and Malawi in particular. The supply of fish per person in the country has, however, been steadily decreasing such that the per capita consumption of fish is less than 13-15 … RUF-33823 2014 CC BY 4.0 10 Aug 2015
Books and Book Chapters Open Access Building Capacity in the Agricultural Industries of Africa Malcolm Blackie The successful transformation of agriculture has been at the core of impressive change in China, India, Indonesia, Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina. Fundamental to this achievement has been building capacity in all aspects of agricultural cha… RUF-33643 2015 CC BY 4.0 14 Apr 2015
Technical reports Open Access Project document for regional MSc and PhD programmes in plant breeding and biotechnology The RUFORUM Plant Breeding, Biotechnology and Seed Systems Strategy (RUPBBS) is an implementation framework for building regional capacity in Plant Breeding, Biotechnology and Seed Systems. RUPBBS has been developed by RUFORUM in conjuncti… RUF-33598 2008 CC BY 4.0 19 Feb 2015
Working Document Series Open Access CSIR and Collaboration with Universities in Agricultural Research in Ghana R.E. Mamaa Entsua-Mensah The paper provides an overview on capacities and operations of research institutes under the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in Ghana. It highlights the link between the research institutes and capacity development in… RUF-33134 2012 CC BY 4.0 21 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Impact of Climate Change on Mangrove Crab (Scylla serrata) fattening and its Implication on the Livelihoods of Coastal Communities of Tanzania J.M. Abdallah · H.A. Lamtane · J.J. Mahenge This research project is aimed at evaluating the impact of climate change on the growing mud crab (Scylla serrata) fisheries industry in Tanzania. The specific objectives are: to assess the contribution of mud crab fattening to the livelih… RUF-32857 2012 CC BY 4.0 19 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Assessment of the Performance of the Aquaculture Fish Marketing chain: A case of Dowa and Mchinji Districts in Malawi D. Kaunda · D. Lisungu Banda · E. Ngongola This study was carried out in Dowa and Mchinji Districts in the Central Region of Malawi. The main purpose of the study was to improve the marketing system of the small scale fish farmers for increased income with particular focus on asses… RUF-32822 2012 CC BY 4.0 19 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Economic Analysis of Fish farming in Mbale-sub region, Eastern Uganda A. Akol · Halasi Gidongo Zech · T.S. Hyuha · F. Muyodi +1 more Aquaculture is an important fish subsector in Uganda. It provides alternative employment opportunity along the entire value chain. Though aquaculture is facing many limitations like market imperfections, it is still being promoted as a sec… RUF-32802 2012 CC BY 4.0 19 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Economics of Management of Farmer Associations in Western Kenya A.K. Kipkoech · S. Mwakubo · O.A. Nekesa · J.O. Ochuodho +3 more Farmer associations (FAs) have the capacity to improve earnings and the general welfare of their members when they are well managed. In this study, we characterise three umbrella FAs in western Kenya namely, Bungoma Small-Scale Farmers For… RUF-32795 2012 CC BY 4.0 19 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access University Outreach Support to Farmer Associations in Western Kenya: The Case of The RUFORUM’s Community Action Research Project (CARP) at Moi University A.K. Kipkoech · P.O. Mongare · C. Navalayo · J.O. Ochuodho +7 more Moi University’s School of Agriculture obtained a research grant from the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) under the Community Action Research Program (CARP) to carry out a research leading to the … RUF-32782 2012 CC BY 4.0 19 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Production Performance and Contribution of Dairy Goats to Income of Small Scale Farmers: A Case of Babati and Kongwa Districts in Tanzania S.W. Chenyambuga · Mary Jackson · D.M. Komwihangilo · E.E. Ndemanisho This study was carried out in Babati and Kongwa districts in Tanzania to determine the lactation performance, reproduction performance, profitability and contribution of dairy goats to household income of small scale farmers. The data were… RUF-32638 2012 CC BY 4.0 17 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Participatory Control of Newcastle Disease in Vllage Poultry Using Thermostable Vaccines in Uganda D.K. Byarugaba · B. Mali · G. Mbabazi · J. Mugisha +2 more This study is investigating the limitations and challenges that constrain control of Newcastle disease (ND) in village freerange poultry. The project is implemented in Bulyansime village in Iganga District. Baseline data on knowledge, atti… RUF-32334 2012 CC BY 4.0 16 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Economic Analysis of Transboundary Animal Disease Control in Ntungamo and Rakai Districts in Uganda I. Bayiyana · W. Ekere Livestock plays an important role in the economies of many developing countries. It provides food, income, employment and foreign exchange. Transboundary animal diseases (TADs) are a major threat to livestock keepers. They have evident eco… RUF-32327 2012 CC BY 4.0 16 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Economic Evaluation of the Potato Market Chain in Uganda A. Kasharu · E. Katungi · H. Kyomugisha · J. Mugisha A survey involving 180 farmers, 60 traders and processors was conducted in Kabale, Mbale and Kampala districts in Uganda for two consecutive potato growing seasons (20011/2012). The Study sought to: 1) to characterise and describe the vari… RUF-32315 2012 CC BY 4.0 16 May 2014